Artificial eye and method of forming



J. S. GALESKI Aug. 7, 1951 ARTIFICIAL EYE AND METHOD OF' FORMING THE SAME 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 25. 1946 1 J TW// f V/ W Q, lli w /W H? -fgM/f @kia/a;

Aug. 7, 1951 J. s. GALESK! 2,563,462

ARTIFICIAL EYE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed June 25, 1946 fig/ 14 5 sheets-sheet 2y Aug- 7, 1951 J. s. GALl-:sm 2,563,462

ARTIFICIAL EYE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed June 25, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 oooooooo ovooooooo wua/wbo'b oooooooo oo ooo oo ooooogoo Mmmm pw 33333333 55 v f ssssw/ @wm my@ oooooooo oooooooo @WWW lPatented Aug. 7, 1951 ARTIFICIAL EYE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Joseph S. Galeski, Richmond, Va., assigner to Galeski Laboratory, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application June 25, 1946, Serial No. 679,040

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for making a prothesis or artificial eye of granulated plastic material. This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 667,732 led July 30, 1945, now abandoned. An important object of the invention consists in forming an artificial eye body or solera and the iris of the eye of bonded, granular, plastic material.

At the present time there is no standardization in making artificial eyes. No two natural eyes are exactly alike nor can they be perfectly duplicated. Artificial eyes are fitted usually either from a large selection of stock-eyes or are made to order by trained and skilled experts. An important feature of the invention consists in an improved artiiicial eye and method of making the same, so as to give to artificial eyes a high degree of standardization qualities that such eyes at the present time do not possess, and in which the parts of the eye are formed to match in color, shape and appearance a human eye.

` By the present method anyone who can properly t a glass eye., can measure, order and furnish to a user, an artificial eye fully equal in appearance and comfort to the finest made to order glass artificial eye. The plastic material used in making the artificial eye in accordance with the present invention is practically unaffected by the acid or tear solution of the eye and is, therefore, more durable than glass eyes.

Heretofore, in the art of making artificial eyes, :the sclera or white portion of the eye has been made of glass, rubber, plastic or other material, but no means have been provided whereby individual eyes to match natural eyes can be ordered in substantially the same manner that an eye specialist prescribes lenses for eye glasses.

Accordingly, a further object of the invention .consists in providing an apparatus for forming the `bodies of an articial eye in which interchange- :able means are provided, whereby a single mold may be utilized to form a number of scleras of different horizontal dimensions and center thick- .nesses, but each having substantially the same ,edge thickness.

` It has also been the custom in making artificial irises: (1) to form both the body of the articial yeye and the iris of colored glass mixed to the desired shade to match the good eye; (2) to make the body of plastic material and embed a colored glass iris; (3) to make a body of plastic material Land form the iris disk by a colored photographic process and (4) to paint a thin Washer or member to form the colored part of the iris. The use of :different materials to form the artificial eye are objectionable since these materials have different coeiiicients of expansion and dimensional stability, and therefore, do not form an integral, homogeneous unit. Painting the iris to match a good iris is an extremely laborious process requiring the services of a trained expert and also occasions considerable delay, since it is necessary for the paint to dry before another coating of a different color or shade can be applied. As the completed artiiicial eye is made of solid plastic material, it may be handled without being broken if dropped, and thus overcome a serious defect present in the use of glass artificial eyes.

Another object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for forming different colored or shades of irises from a mixture of selectively colored, bondedy granular, plastic material, in which the various colors or shades are blended in varying percentage and treated to simulate in shape, color and appearance any natural iris. This simple, eflicient and economic method of forming the iris eliminates the expensive and highly skilled method of painting the artificial iris to simulate a human iris, or making individual irises from different colored glass in a molten state or by an elaborate color-photographic process, and also provides a novel means whereby a number of these artiiicial irises can be formed from a single' colored body or plug at a minimum expenditure of time and effort.

Referring to the drawings in which are shown for the purpose of illustration preferred means for forming an artificial plastic eye and iris in accordance with the present invention:

Figure l is a detailed sectional View of a mold cylinder for forming the plastic eye body or solera;

Figure 2 is a detailed side View showing interchangeable rings of different thicknesses arranged to be interposed between the die members of the mold;

Figures 3, 3a and 3b are diagrammatic detailed sectional views illustrating the formation of the eye bodies with different separating rings and inwhich the eye bodies have different center thicknesses and different horizontal dimensions but the same edge thicknesses;

Figure 4 is a vertical, sectional view of the iris mold cylinder for initially forming the granular, plastic material into tubular uncompressed form;

Figure 5 is a detailed side `View of the uncompressed plastic tube formed by the iris mold shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a vertical, sectional view of a modiflcation of the iris mold shown in Figure 4;

3 Figure 7 is a detailed side view of a plastic tube formed by the mold shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side view with parts in section of the iris mold modified to form a two-tone colored iris button; Figure!)V is a side view with parts in section of the iris mold shown in Figure 8 for forming a three-tone colored iris button;

Figure 10 is a side view With parts in section of the iris mold shown in Figure 8, showing a third color or shade therein and preparatory to the heating and compression operation;

Figure 11 is a side view with the parts in sec tion of the iris mold shown in either Figures 8 or 10, having the plunger inserted therein for compressing and forming the material into a solid homogeneous body,

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the iris button formed by the fnld'in Figure 10 and having an axial central opening drilled therein;

' Figure 13v is a View similar to Figure 12', showing the pupil plug inserted in the central opening;

Figure. 14 is a side view with parts in section of the iris compression mold modied to form the cornea;

Figure 15V is.V a detailed side View of the completed, solid, coloredY iris body or plug;

Figure 161 is a vievvsirnilar to Figure 15, showing the iris plug prorde@ with. e elgiheeeq handle portion;

Figure 17 is a side View. of a colored iris button andcornea cut fromu thev plug shown in Figure 15;

Figure 1311s, a detailed side View of a modified form ofirisbuttom' Figure 19 is aA sectional View of a plastic eye body having an iris'andbornea such as shown inV 'Figure 1"7v embedded therein;

"Figuref2`is` asectinalvieW' of a plastic eye body having aniris'butt'on and cornea such as shcvvn in Figure 18 attached thereto;

Figure 2.1 is a front View of an artificial eye made in accordance'with the present Vinvention and havingV a threefftone' iris button embedded therein;

Figures 22 to 25, inclusive, are sectional views of a inodied form'of anartiflcial'eye body and method 'for'` inserting the iris* and applying a transparent coating to the' outer surface of the eye body and iris.

Figure 26 is a sectional view of a moldcylinder for forming the 'artircial eye body shown in Figure 22 ;v

Figure 27 is a sectional view of a formed artiicial eye bodyY rslvi'ivvingf the'cornea, shaped or ground" to the desired conguration and With the optical center of the irisl offset.

' Figure 28 is a plan View of an eye body that constitutes a part ofthe fltters set.

Figure 29 is a'plan'view'of a complete artiiicial plastic eye made in accordance with theV modied form ofthe invention;

Figure 30 is a side vievv of an iris plug from which the iris wafers 'are formed;

Figure 31y is a perspective vieW of a box in which one set'of'difere'nt sizes and shapes of sample eye bodies used by the tter are carried, and

Figure 32 is a front view of a card containing diierent colored iris wafers from which the tter selects the iris to match the natural eye.

The articial'eye body or solera formed in accordance with the present invention is composed of granular plastic material, such as Lucte Plexiglas i. e., polyacrylic acid ester or polymethacrylic acid ester resins. As shown in Figure l, the mold for forming the body of the articial eye includes a cylinder I0 of such size and shape as to receive a pair of co-acting removable die members II and I2, respectively, one of which, such as the Vdie II, has r`a recess or cavity I3 at one end that terminates in an annular shoulder I and is arranged to receive a 'complementary formed curved projection I5 on the adjacent end of the die I2 Which is also provided` with an annular shoulder I6 that may abut the shoulder Illto limit inward movement oi? the dieinembers, To form the hollow plastic eye body of the desired shape and size to t the eyesocketand match the natural eye with which itisto be used, the die I2 is removed from the mold and transparent or suitably colored, dry, Sfefllllsl 1.911571F, plastic material is introduced into the recess le, and the diel l2; is) then Vinserted in the mold and the parts subjected'to heat and pressure, in a heated pressnotfshownf so as to fuse the grains of material, into a homogeneous curved plastic bodyY or solera I1 of? concave-convex shape to form `a hollovvv shell; The bodies Il of the eyes are made in v'several shades or off-White to match the good eye of the wearer. i f 4"' In order that a single mold may be used. to form eye bodies of predetermined desired centers, and having the same edge tlfiiclznesses,there isfas sociated with the mold a series of separatingrings IS, each of which has a different edge thicknessI `Il! (Figure 2). These rings are arrangedl to,v be interchangeably positionedv between the shoul-L derslff and I5 of the die members to form the plastic eye 'bodies with diferentfcenter thick" nesses and different horizontal dimensions but, with substantially the same edgethicknessesf as diagrammancauy mustrated iningures 3,13@ and sb, it win be seenethat, assuming. it is de-f. sired to form an eye body'I'I withY a 15 V4mm.Y radius, a 5 mm. separating ring I3` is'l interposed betweenthe die members II and I A2to forman eye body that has a transverse dimension. or length of 29 mm. (Figure 3). Foz-fan articial eye body that is to have a finish.; or l'erigtlr'i"` of` 28 mm. a separating ring of 4, mm. is used (Fig ure 3a). If the eyebody Ilistohave a 2 7,mnf. length, then a separating` ring` Iilofv 3..mm. is positioned between the die meifnloers` Il andl I2" (Figureb). The center thicknessofleah 0f. the bodies Il is substantially, the samev aslthe, Width of` the separating ring used. to formv the` particular eye body, so that vif a 5 mm. ring is used, the center thickness o fA the body willA be substantially 5 mm., While a 3. mm. separating. ring willform an eye body hayingia.center.thick?" ness ofV 3 Then metric measurement. l`1ere7 in used is illustrative and` is not necessarily re strictive oractual. In other Words, vshouldthe radial curvatureof vthe die. members IIv and, I 22. be fractionallyy ding-arent,v as they; may breathedimensions would, be correspondingly dil'erent,` It Will be noted from Figures 3, 3a andbthat.- as the' cord subtending thearc because shorter the `curved shape ofthebody Nenes to, sradnr ally straighten out. Further, these three1 iigures illustrate the use of Curvesfof,thegsamegfaclii,l but eachV having greater portions of` the; aroused for theconvex curve than thatcfor, the concave curve so thatby,varyin`g the d if ferencesv in the lengths of the arcs to-. ,vary.the outer curve of theueyev bodies .andtheir, longif.V tudinal lengths,A so thatthe plastic eyabodiesz ascencemay have different horizontal diameters and center thicknesses but substantially the same edge thicknesses, in order that a single mold cylinder can be used to form plastic eye bodies of different sizes, shapes and dimensions and thus eiect a substantial saving in making the plastic eye bodies.

The interchangeable use of the separating rings with the mold IU give approximately the same edge thicknesses I9' at the points 2|, 22 and 23, as indicated in Figures 3, 3a and 3b, respectively, despite the fact that these eye bodies may have different center thicknessses and different horizontal or transverse dimensions. Eye bodies formed of these radiiof curvature necessarily require rings of different thicknesses to obtain the desired results. Their use may be facilitated by reference to a prepared chart which will accurately show the dimensions of an artificial eye body and the particular ring to be used to form the same. The unfinished eye body I1, after being pressed in the mold I under high pressure and reasonably high temperature, is removed from the mold and then veined by engraving minute channels or irregular shaped grooves 24 (Figure 19) on the outer surface of the body I1 and filling these channels with plastic red ink or suitable coloring material to form vein lines 25 (Figure 21). The surface of the body is then wiped olf so that it is absolutely clean except for the coloring material in the veins or channels 24. A thin layer of line granulated, plastic material is then deposited in the recess I3 of the die Il and the formed body I1 is placed back into the mold between the dies II and I2 and the mold positioned in the press, so as to cover the Whole front surface of the eye body with a transparent, protective or polished coated surface I1 of about one-half mm. thickness.

If it is desired to form an eye body such as I1, having a center thickness of mm., the body is first formed by using a separating ring of 4%; mm., then properly veining the outer surface of the body and returning the same to the cylinder I0, to which has previously been added 1A; mm. of transparent or clear plastic material. A 5 mm. separating ring is now interposed between the members II and I2 and the parts subjected to heat and pressure, to form the eye body of the proper size. In other words, a separating ring Vg mm. thicker than the initial ring is used in the second molding operation, in order to give 1/2 mm. thickness to the transparent outer coating or surface. Several different molds having different curvatures formed on the members II and I2 are used to form the artificial bodies I1 of the desired sizes and shapes.

It will be noted that the vein lines 25 are positioned Well below the finished coated surface I1 of the eye body so as not to be detrimentally afi'ected by wearing, handling or cleaning of the same. When withdrawn from the mold I0, the body I1 will have the unnished edge thereon removed by a milling cutter or similar means to produce smooth edges and the desired shape to the body of the eye. This operation may be carried out in a manner similar to that used in shapu ing the edges of spectacle lenses. The completely polymerized, acrylic, plastic eyebody I1 is much denser, harder and less porous and more durable than similar bodies made by the dental process of molding, previously used in the construction of plastic artificial eyes. Dental molding, as it is commonly understood, consists of using a polymer and monomer mixed `to the approximate con` sistency of putty and is` then polymerized in a mold made of plaster or some similar material. Since the mold does not fully coni-ine the material, the surplus being squeezed out as ash, high pressures are not possible.

It will be seen that the eye body mold. I0 and its associated parts can, by reason of the interchangeable rings I8 be utilized to form a number of artificial eye bodies having different center thicknesses and diiierent horizontal dimensions, but all with substantially the same edge thicknesses, so that these eye bodies may be kept in. stock and be available for use Iwhen desired.

The colored iris which is embedded in the eye body so as to match the natural eye, is preferably made of the same plastic, granular material used to form the eye body or solera. This plastic materlal is colored and then may be ground in a machine that reduces it without heating to the desired degree of fineness. This machine is provided with suitable means for obtaining either a. iine or coarse granulated, plastic material, so that the different colored batches of plastics of coarse or line grains may be selectively blended or mixed in desired proportions to produce an articial iris that matches in color shades any natural iris. Thus, it Will be seen that the artiiicial iris coinprises completely polymerized, fused, acrylic, fine and coarse granules of different shades which are blended together so that the finished iris is provided With sharply defined colored areas harmonizing with the original colors or" the granules, so as to simulate a natural iris in size, shape, pattern and appearance, and in which adjacent ne granules are blended with the areas defined by the large granules to form blended edges with the different shades arranged in juxtaposition so as to be free from sharp dividing lines and simulate a natural iris.

The mold for making the colored or shaded irises may be of any desired shape and size and preferably one size iris mold is used and the formed iris turned to any desired diameter before being cut from the iris plug. As shown, the iris mold is formed with a cylindrical body 26 (Figure 4), having a center and axial opening 21 of uniform diameter therethrough, and arranged to receive a removable cylindrical rod or plunger 28, the lower end of Iwhich is formed. with an enlarged shoulder or base portion 2li of substantially the same diameter as the opening 21, so as to properly center the rod 28 in the cylinder 26. The rod or stem 28 extends upwardly from the base 29 and is of such a diameter as to form an annular clearance with the inner Wall of the opening 2:1. The upper end of the cylinder 2li may be recessed or dish-shaped, as at d, and the rod 28 may be formed with a tapered end il which extends into the recess 3l] when the part-s are assembled so as to facilitate the pouring of the dry, granular plastic into the cylinder 26. The desired color or shade of plastic material which constitutes the outer periphery of the artincial iris is then introduced in granular form of the proper fineness into the cylinder 26, to ll the space between the wall of the opening 21 and the rod lill, and the parts are then heated without being subjected to pressure to form the uncompressed tubular colored orshaded body 32 (Figure 5) having smooth cylin. drical inner and outer surfaces.

Instead of forming the tubular body 32 with an inner smooth surface, it is often desired, in order that the iris simulate in appearance the natural iris, that it be provided with'. longitudinal ribs o1 accedez" 's'el'ratio'ns on its inner'surface,l in sucha case, infV stead of using a smooth cylindrical rod such as 28, a rodV or member 33 having circumferentially disposed, spaced projections Aor ribs34 (Figure 6),

is arranged to be inserted Within the cylinder,

and 33 determines the thickness of the tubular.

body 32 and may be varied as conditions require or may be omitted if a single color or shadeV is to form the iris plug.

Thus, it will be seen that the plastic body or solera VI comprises a translucent, completely polymerized, acrylic, plastic body, and that the colored iris e is formed from similar material includingcompletelyT polymerized, fused, acrylic, dry granules. The granulesV in the finished iris constitute or form sharply defined colored areasthat harmonize with the original colors of the granules soY as to simulate a natural iris in size, color, shape, pattern and appearance, and 1n which the colored areas are blended at their edgesV with adjacent colored areas. Additionally, the adjacent fine granules are blended with the area dened by the large granules so that the different shades are arranged in juxtaposition and are free from sharp dividing lines. Moreover, a portion of the iris maybe tinged any desired shade by the addition of a minute quantity of the desired tinging color of transparent, acrylic, dry plastic.

The color of human irises which usually are Vcomposed of different shades of brown, gray or `blue or a mixture of any one or more of these colors, can be accurately reproduced to form an artificial iris by selectively blending these three colorsand subjecting the mixture to proper heat and pressure in a heated press or the like. Accordingly, separate batches of ne and coarse gray, blue and brown dry, granular material are i reduced to the desired degree of neness by being passed through a grinding machine, so'as to be available for immediate use. Assuming two colors or shades, such as a blue and brown, are required to form an artificial iris corresponding to a human iris and that a light shade of blue is required to form the outer periphery of the articial iris, then this particular shade is nrst made up by properly blending the necessary colors and the same is introduced into the iris cylinder2 to form the tubular uncompressed body .32 (Figure 5). Similarly, the desired shade of granular brown plastic of the proper neness is mixedand the rod 2S is removed from the cylinder 26 and a plug 3l (Figure 8) is inserted in the lower endv of the opening 2l, so as to close the same. The pren formed tubular body 32 now rests on the tcp of the plug el and the space or opening in the tube 32 is lled with the desired shade of brown plastic 33. A press head or plunger 39, of substantially the same diameter as the opening 2l, is then in-Y serted into the cylinder 26 under sumcient heat and pressure to compress and reduce the two color shades into a solid cylindrical body 40, substantially of the size as shown in Figure 11. During this operation the different colors or shadesv of the granular plastic'materials are fused or bonded together under heat and pressure to causev thev lines of demarcation to be very irregular, so as tosimulate kin appearance the'color of the with whichthe artificial iris istobel 8) so that in its final form the compressed solidbody 40 'will be provided with longitudinal ribs or serrations between the two colors. Should it be 'desired to add a third color or shaderto simulate the natural iris, then the outer periphery of the artificial iris is rst formed inthe manner'Y aS shown in Figure 4 and upon removal of therod 28, a rod or member 4i' (Figure 9)-, ofl smaller diameter than the tubular member 32 is inserted in the cylinder 26. The rod il has a base 42 of substantially the same diameter as the opening 2l and has its'reduced stem portion i3 extendingupwardl'y through the opening in thetubular member 32 to a point adjacent'the recess 3E); The desired color or shade which is to form a portion of the iris'b'etween its outer and inner peripheries, is'then Vintroduced between the inner wall of the tubularmember 32 and the rod di to form, when the parts are subjected to heat and pressure, an

uncompressed intermediate tubular portion 44.'

The rod il is then removed from the cylinder 2S and the plug 2l (Figure l0) againrinserted in the bottom of the opening 2l and the color or shade te, which is to form the inner periphery or partv of the iris, is then poured in dry, granular form intothe cylinder 25, to fill the opening in the tubular'body M; Thepress'head 39 under sufli'- cient heat and pressure is then introduced into the cylinder i to compress and'fuse the different colored or Vshaded plastic materials into a solid cylindrical homogeneous body te. lt will, of course, be manifest, that the thickness of either the tubular plastic body 32 or 35 may be varied aslde'sired by the simple expedient of using rods of different diameters.' Moreover, instead of the smooth cylindrical rod lil (Figure 9) a rod of the same diameter having ribs thereon may be pro vided, so that the iris plug in its nal form will have radial ribs formed therein to simulate in appearance a natural iris.

The completed iris plug (le upon removal from the cylinder 26 (Figure 1l), is drilled. to form tom of the' cylinder 26 upon removal of the plug 3i, and a sufficient amount of transparent,

granular material is poured into the concave` portion 49 of the plug 48 to fill the same. The solid iris body ell is then inserted in the cylinder 26' so that the lower end thereof engages the material 5i) and a few grams of granular, transparent material are poured on top of the body i d. The heated head wunder proper pressure is now introduced into the cylinder 26, to simultaneously fuse the transparent convex cornea 5i' and a handle portion 52 (Figure l5) on op posite ends of the solid vbody 40. The body 40, upon removal'from the cylinderv 25.,"is then chuckedV infa lathe s0 as'to be held firmly in position-.by the Vhandlev 52 and theportion of the j The iris plug 40 with Ythe f body adjacent thereto. The iris body is then cut transversely to the desired thickness such as at the point 53 (Figure 15) to form a complete iris 54 of the desired shade or color to match a natural iris.

The operation of forming a cornea on the end of the iris plug 40 is repeated by'returning the plug 4i] to the cylinder 25, until the entire plug 40 is used. Each time the plug 45 is returned to the cylinder 25, an additional amount of transparent material is added, so as to lengthen the handle 52, as clearly illustrated at 55 in Figure 16. In other words, substantially the same amount of plastic material is added to the handle as is removed from the body to form each of the irises 54. The lengthening of the handle 52, as the body is reduced to form the several irises, insures a proper gripping means for holding the body 4D in a xed position in the lathe during each cutting operation. It will be seen that the length of the plug 4l] is such that a number of iris buttons and corneas may be formed from a single iris plug. However, the handle portion 52 may, if desirable, be omitted.

The differently colored or shaded granular plastic material in either ne or coarse form when introduced into the iris mold 26 to form the solid iris plug 4D, is subjected to a temperature of about 300 F., in order to heat the grains to a point where the individual grains fuse or melt into each other without materially affecting the size, shape or volume of the grains and without changing the molecular structure of the material. During the compression :and heating operation, the material in the iris cylinder 25 is subjected to a pressure of two tons or more per square inch, as contrasted to the slight pressure used in molding by the dental process. The iris plug or button 54 may be formed of a single color or ycolor combination, two colors with either a different color periphery or a different color around the pupil, or three colors or'shades with different colors around the pupil and a different colored or shaded periphery. The circumferentially disposed spaced ribs or projections formed in the body of the iris by the rod 33 (Figure 6) preferably are located between the outer periphery and the portion of the iris surrounding the pupil, and may be associated witheither a two or three-tone or shaded iris and may vary in size and location, in order that the completed iris will simulate in appearance the natural iris with which it is to be used. I

The colored iris 54 and transparent cornea 5|, when removed from the plug 40, are of the shape shown in Figure 17 and the iris may have a straight annular edge 56 arranged to fit in a complementary formed recess or socket 51, previously formed in the outer surface of the body of the eye I1 and located at the proper optical center to match the human eye (Figure 19). The outer surface of the cornea has a greater curvature than that of the eye body (Figures 19 and 20).

In order to make the outer edge of the iris appear slightly darker as is the casein most human eyes, it is found by scientifically and correctly tapering the side 58 of the iris button 54 and forming the outer surface of the eye body I1 with a complementary formed recess 59 (Figure 20) that the iris, by refraction and reiiection, when inserted in the body l1, is provided with a shaded portion around its periphery which very closely simulates a natural iris in size,sha pe, color and appearance. The iris button 54, either with a straight edge or a beveled edge, is firmly secured into the counterbore of the eye body l1 by being fused therein or .by a cement composed of the same plastic as the material of which the body of .the eye and the iris are made. The pupil rod 41 is inserted after the iris plug lill is formed and before the cornea is attached, and a portion of the rod 41 is removed when forming each of the iris buttons 54 and corneas 5I.

It will be seen that an articial eye constructed in accordance with the present invention can be made and reproduced in substantially the same manner that a doctor or optician orders lenses for glasses. Brieiiy, the initial tting of an artificial eye to match a human eye would be selected from a trial set kept in stock. This fitting set would contain approximately blanks, that is articial eyes without irises or corneas, rights and lefts, as specified in different shapes, sizes, or curve depths, and properly numbered 0r classied, so as to be easily selected. From these blanks or sets practically 99% of all articial eye cases could be correctly tted for size, shape and appearance, and the bodies of the eyes or scleras would be made in several shades of off white to match the wearers good eye.. This stock set of itting may also contain about unmounted irises of different shades and standardized percentage mixtures of blue, gray and brown, all .deiinitely numbered. To match varied colored eyes, the ttermay specify one color around the pupil, another color for the main Ipart of iris, and still a third color for the outer periphery of the iris, or a one or tWo color or shade of iris may be selected to match the natural iris.

Eyes of most white Americans and others of the Caucasian race are almost never a true, single color, but composed of diiierent shades of blue, gray and brown, almost invariably a combination of two or three of these colors. The present method and means of making irises of several shades of each color blended together in xed predetermined percentage quantities enables the matching of the color effect of practically every human eye. The exact design of the color formation in the human eye and the artificial eye is of little importance, for if the color effect is the same, the design difference can only be detected by a minute inspection to which the wearer is not ordinarily subjected. Y

The tting procedure for articial eyes may be illustrated as follows: The tter selects the proper blank to match the good eye and, in this connection it may be mentioned, that in a percentage of cases where an eye is lost by accident, the upper lid muscles are affected and it is not unusual that a flatter eye must be used to permit proper lid action. In other cases, an eye with a greater curvature may be needed to prevent the lid from dropping. Since the tting set of artificial eyes contains the same size blank in several radii of curvature, it is only a matter of trial to select the most desirable curve for each particular case. The proper colors for the iris would be selected and the diameter of each iris and pupil specified. The blank may then be marked with a waterproof, China-marking, wax pencil or by other means to show the exact position desired for the iris and for the center of the eye. This position or t would also be measured and recorded.

In the modication shown in Figures 22 to 3G, inclusive, the eye body 60 is formed of a suitable plastic vmaterial in a mold cylinder 6l (Figure 26) by introducing into the cylinder an accurately B3 of .the lower die member 64. The upper coacting die member t5, which. has been previously removed from the cylinder El so as to allow the granulated. material 62 to be introduced therein, isthen inserted in theY mold El and the parts sub- Vjected to heat and pressure to form the solid eye body 60 having the annular outer extending ange 66. It will be noted that the mold 6l is substantially similar in construction and operation to the mold l0, but that the interchangeable -separating rings i8 are omitted, and the'annul'ar flange 66 is formed bythe opposed shoulder portions 61. and 68 on the die members 64 and 6.5

respectively, and the inner wall of the cylinder 'Eli which serves to conne the extruded material Within the cylinder. The desired shape and 'dimensionsl are imparted to the body ell by accurately determiningby weighing the amountv of diameters, center thicknesses and curvatures, but

the same edge thicknesses.

The plasticfeyebody' or solera Si! is then removed from the. mold 6.! and at the proper position or optical center of the body in which the iris wafer is to. be inserted, there is formedin the outer surface of the. eye body, an annular recess (i9A of. substantially the saine diameter as the iris Wafer 'l0 which ts Within the recess 69 and below'the outer surface ofthe body (Figure 24). Ther outer surface of the, eye body is then grooved as at H Yto form irregular channels Which receive plasticred ink or other suitable colored material in order to form the vein lines 'l2 (Figure 29)'. The-surface of theA eye body is then wiped off so that' itv is absolutely clean with the exception that the colored material is embedded in the channels. The eye body El) with the iris Wafer 1D and vein lines 12 therein is then returned to the mold 6|, to which has previously been added a small' quantity of transparent granular plastic material, and the mold is subjected to heat and pressurek to form the transparent coating 13 on the; outer surface of the eye body and the cornea 'lllV which extends over the iris wafer 10, so asv to cover the same as particularly shown in Figure 25. In. other Words, the outer transparent coating 13 constitues a covering for the eye body 6U, the iris Wafer 'l0 and the veined lines l2.

The eye body 60 and its associated parts are then clamped in a suitable cutting or grinding machine so as to shape the outer contour of the cornea 'I4` to the desired coniiguration such as indicated at 14 (Figure 27) in order to conform in appearance to the natural cornea. The formed eyev body in Figure 27 is substantially similar to that disclosed in Figure 25 and diiers therefrom in thatv the optical center of the iris is o'iset as contrasted to the central position shown in Figure 25. The annular ange 66 is then removed from the eye body B and the outer edge of the body out transversely and shaped to the desired contour to properly nt in the eye socket with which it is to be used, and inv substantially the Same ymanner as Vshovvfnin Figure. It will be seen that diiierent lengths of the same arc obtain dif- -ferent shapes in order that the eye body may readily conform to the sizeand shape of the eye socket with which it is to be used. `Upon re- Inoval of, the surplus material the outer coating 13 is polished to give to the eye a high gloss and a reflective convex surface.

In Figure 30, there is shown an iris plug l5 formed similarly to the plug di] previously described, and Whichmay .be provided with a transparent handle portion 16 for securing the plus in a lathe during the cutting operation. The iris plug l5A is drilled Vcentrally and axially to receive a pupil rod similar to the rod di. A number of iris wafers or buttons l@ are formed from the plug i5 bycutting` the latter along the transverse dot and dash lines lll'. Each of the iris wafers, when removed from the plug, has a dull exposed surface and is inserted in the recess Si! of the body 60 Without being polished, since the applicationof the transparent coating H over the same, when it forms the cornea ld, serves to impart a high polish or gloss to the iris Wafer.

The artificial Yeye fitter may be provided with a complete-'set of sample plastic eye bodies and irises for accuratelyV fitting and matching artificial eyeswith the natural eye of the user, and this fitting set may include preferably six sets of boxes or receptacles, oneA of which is indicated 18 (Figure 3l) and is divided into separate compartments '[9` for receiving artificial eye bodies of different sizes, shapes and colors, and which is suitablyqmarked as at so that `the fitter may conveniently remove from the proper compartment the desired eye body GG. Each fitter is also provided With a sample card 8i (Figure 32) which contains a number of different colorediiis wafers or buttons 82. Each of these differently colored orshaded wafers is provided with a transparent cornea, and numbered according to a standardiaing formula. Additionally, the sample artificial eye bodies may be marked with graduated divided lines extending about l2 mm. from the inner canthus or inner corner or" the eye and approximately the same distance from the bottom of the eye. In Figure 28 there is shown one of the marked eye bodies 53 provided With a horizontal dividing line 34 and a vertical dividing line 85, each of which is graduated inmillimeters and iS used to determine the corr/ect position of the iris on the body of the eye. i

As an example of operating the fitting set in accordance with the present invention, it might be assumed that the box 1B is arranged to carry a set of artificial eye bodies having an outer radius of 14 mm. rhis set Would include eye bodies 28, 27, 26, 25, 24 and 23 mm. long. These eye bodies Would further be divided into two sets, one shape of Which would have the vertical dimension substantially 92% of the horizontal dimension, and the other set77% of the horizontal dimension. Another set or seriesV ofv artiiicial eyes would have the same outside dimensions, but Withan inner radial curve a little less soY as to make the Veye thicker at the center, and consequentlyY position it a bit further forward than the first mentioned set. The markings 6@ on each compartment 19 indicate the length, proportion, and inner and outer curves of the eye bodies therein so that the litter may conveniently remove by inspection the desired size and shape ofthe eye body. 4Another box similar to the box 80 of the fitting set may contain eye bodies of 13 nim. radius with the largest eye in; the series 2 6 mm.. and the smaller eyes similar in number and proportion to those contained in the 14 mm. set. There may also be a separate box of 15 mm. outside radius bodies which would start with an eye 30 mm. in its longitudinal dimension and other small sizes to be used with this particular radius of eye body. As an example of fitting an artificial eye from this fitting set and without requiring the presence of the maker of the eye, the method of procedure would be substantially as follows:

Assuming that an artificial right eye is wanted to match the natural eye in color, shade and shape, the fitter would select from the right eye set of sample iittings, such as the box 18, an eye body of the proper length. Assuming that he tried a 25 mm. eye, and this appeared to be a little small he would then select a 26 mm. eye. Probably the 26 inm. eye appears satisfactory, but he would also, as a precautionary measure, try a 27 mm. eye and find the latter a little too large for comfort. He would therefore select and use the 26 mm. eye body. He would then notice the palpebral opening or how the distance between the upper and lower lids of the artificial eye compares with the patients natural eye. If the 26 mm. eye allowed the lid to drop a little too much, he would use the same length eye from his fitting set which has a little greater bulge caused by the shorter radial curve. If this were correct and he selected then a 26 mm. with a 13 mm. outer radius, this would be the artificial eye body 50 to be used. With the eye body inserted in the eye, he would notice the metric marks 84 and 35 on the fitting eye body and specify from these marks the number of millimeters the inner edge of the iris should be set from the innercanthus. This can readily be determined since the fitter desires to leave the same amount of white showing from the colored portion of the eye to the corner of the eye as the patients natural eye. In the same manner, he would determine from the vertical line of the fitting body, the correct height of the iris. With these measurements correct, the eye must look natural in its most important essential features. That is, the lid of both eyes should be opened the same amount and both eyes should look straight ahead when the patient looks in this direction.

The next step is the selection of an iris 82 from the card 8l that matches the iris of the natural eye. If the card 8l contains an iris of the desired color and shade, the fitter will simply specify the number. If, on the other hand, detail changes are necessary in order to match the naturaliris, he might specify from the card 8| an iris having the color and shades such as 86, but if he wanted a smaller pupil than shown in this particular iris wafer, he might select the size of pupil shown in iris wafer 31 and would specify in this order that he wanted an iris of the color and shade in 86 but with the size of pupil the same as in. 81. I-le might also want this iris 12" greater or less in diameter than the 1/2 iris shown on the sample card S I, and if so, he would so specify. In ordering the eye body, he would also mention whether he wants a sclera of the eye to match any one of the different shades shown in this tting set and whether the eye should be veined light, medium or heavy. The fitter would then ll out a prescription or order blank to be sent to the maker of' the artificial eye reading substantially as follows:

Body #1S-26, full regular, shade #3, medium veined. Iris #86, with pupil as in #87, 1/2

14 diameter. Set: 1l mm. from inner canthus, 7 mm. from bottom.

This prescription is then sent to the eye makers laboratory and the artificial eye is made up in accordance therewith so that when the fitter delivers the artificial eye to his patient, the articial eye will match in every detailed respect the natural eye of the user. A duplicate copy of the order |blank or prescription is retained by the ftter as a permanent record so as to be readily available should a new artificial eye have to be formed to the same size, color, shade and dimensions. This method of fitting and furnishing artificial eyes has the further advantage that it does not require the eye maker to personally be present to to see that the artificial eye is made up to simulate in size, color, shape and appearance the natural eye of the patient.

While the formation of the eye bodies and'irises from dry plastic material are shown being molded in cylindrical molds, it will be manifest that other types of molding and heating means may be employed.

It will be seen that by reasons of the present system of fitting and making artificial eyes, it is not necessary to have the eye wearer and the eye maker together any more than the spectacle maker and the spectacle wearer are together at the time of the fitting. The novel construction and arrangement of the fitting set is such that the whole fitting is systematized, and anyone familiar with the fitting of stock glass artificial eyes may t a patient with an artificial eye equal in every respect to that obtained by the best artificial eye maker under the old method. In other words, the fitter may be in one city and the eye maker in another, yet the artificial eye is as accurately made as if the maker obtained his information directly from seeing the patient.

Thus, simple efficient and economical means are provided for forming an artificial eye body, colored iris and cornea that will simulate in every detailed respect the natural eye of the wearer and which may be ordered or duplicated in the same manner as eye glasses are made and without requiring the presence of the eye maker. The parts of the artificial eye are preferably formed from the same plastic mateial so that the composite eye is light and durable and readily shaped to lfit the eye socket of the wearer. Moreover, the transparent, protective, plastic coating over the vein lines and the iris preventshuman tissues from being detrimentally affected by toxicity, or the tear solution in the eye or by handling, so that the Wearing qualities of the articial eye are materially enhanced.

It is to be understood that the methods and apparatus disclosed for forming the articial eye bodies and irises are merely illustrative and that such other means may be employed as fall Within the purview of one skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. An artificial iris formed of polymerized, fused, acrylic, dry granules blended together to simulate in size, shape, pattern and appearance, a natural iris, the granules in the finished iris `forming sharply defined colored areas harmonizing With the original colors of the granules to simulate a natural iris, and said colored areas blending at their edges with adjacent colored areas.

2. An artificial iris comuprising completely polymerized, fused, acrylic, fine and coarse granules of different shades blended together to simu* late in size, shape, pattern and appearance, a natural iris, the granules in the nished iris being blended into each other te form colored areas into which adjacent fine granules are blended with the area defined by the coarse granules and the diierent shades are arranged in juxtaposition so as to be free from sharp dividing lines,

fl. An artilicial iris formed of completely polyintermed, fused, acrylic, dry granules blended 'together to simulate in size, shape, pattern and ap pearance, a natural iris, said iris having circumferentially spaced colored plastic ribs extending radially and outwardly from the center thereof, the granules in the finished iris constituting sharply defined colored areas harmonizing with the original colors o f the granules to simulate a natural iris, and said colored areas blending at their edges with adjacent colored areas to simulate a natural iris.

5. An artificial eye having a solera cornprising a translucent, polyinerized, acrylic, plastic body, a colored iris incorporated in the solera, said iris including polymerized, fused, acrylic, dry granules blended together to simulate in size, shape, pattern and appearance, a natural iris, the granules in the finished iris forming sharply defined colored areas harmonizing- With the original colors of the granules to simulate a natural iris, and said colored areas blending at their edges With adjacent colored areas.

6. An artificial eye having a solera comprising a translucent, completely polymerized, acrylic,

plastic body, a colored iris incorporated in the 45 solera, said iris including completely polymerized, fused, acrylic, dry granules, fine and coarse gran.

ules of different shades blended together to Smulate in size, shape, pattern `and appearance, a natural iris, the granules in the finished iris being blended into each other to form colored areas into which adjacent line granules are blended with the area dened by the large granules and the different shades are arranged in juxtaposition so as to be free from sharp dividing lines.

7. An articial eye as called for in claim 5 having a transparent, acrylic coating covering the front surface of the eye, the solidity of the acrylic material forming the solera and iris substantially reducing the possibility of toxicity.

8. An artificial eye as called for in claim 5 in which the solera has grooves in its; outer surface filled with coloring material to form vein lines corresponding with the Veins of a; natural eye, and a transparent, acrylic, plastic .coating covering the front surface of the solera, iris and vein lines.

JOSEPH S. GALESKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: Y

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 391,492 Mathes June 3, 1902 1,392,174 Kempton Sept, 27, 1921 1,543,288 Laukhui June 2,3, 1925 1,993,121 Travers MaIJ, 1935 2,133,857 Turkington Dec. 19, 1939 2,341,694 VDlesch Feb, 15. .1.94.4 2,391,305 Craleski Dec. 18, 1915 2,394,400 Neles Feb. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 583,952 Great Britain Jan. 3, 1946 OTHER REFERENCES Modern Plastics, July 1944, pages 88, 89, 168, lil- Anatomical Mold Digest.

McKechnie, Elizabeth, Apt Pupils, Canadian Industries Limited, December 1944, pages 8 and'9. 

